Skip to main content

Whoa Nelly

The word "whoa" is the word that American use to halt their horses, literally. When horseback riding or with a wagon, you pull on the reins and then say "whoa". "Nelly" was an old standard mare's name - not really a name because Farmer's didn't often name their work tools, the horse being a work tool, was simply, universally, called Nelly. When you wanted to stop a (female) horse, you'd say, of course, "Whoa Nelly".

In modern English it's used to refer to anything (i.e. a car, a bike, a situation) or a person, who has become out of control and gone on ahead and done something unexpected - and then it's said after the fact to express shock, awe, or merely surprise, at the unexpected behavior.
"She quit her banking job of 10 years to join an improv comedy troup."
"Whoa Nelly!!...what was she smoking when she did that?"

David and Sarah broke up because he came home smelling like perfume.

The student learning to drive popped the clutch too soon and the car bucked forward, then the driving instructor said, "Whoa Nelly! Be sure to let the clutch out slowly next time!"
by espressowhip July 27, 2010
mugGet the Whoa Nelly mug.

Feld It Like Nelly

A short film devoted to the life and times of an ageing ginger artiste who makes it big by fucking, without consent, all the way to the top. Their huge success was short lived however as they contracted the Briggs Death and perished before doing their masters degree.
Can you feld it like nelly?
by Queen of Arts September 21, 2006
mugGet the Feld It Like Nelly mug.
Related Words
nelly Nell nellie Nelly Furtado Nella Nellah Nellis Nello Nellyville Nelle

Nosy Neighbor Neller

To be up in the family business of neighbors, friends, ex's, etc. offering advice with zero credentials to support it. Often the Nosy Neighbor Neller crosses the family line repeatedly and is therefore labled as Just Kidding Family. A Nosy Neighbor Neller usually has an agenda and is in high demand of attention even at the cost of interupting grieving family.

Someone please put a leash on Nosy Neighbor Neller and give our poor family some space. Geesh! Nerves
by desperadohello August 26, 2010
mugGet the Nosy Neighbor Neller mug.

Nelly

Nelly: the most amazing girl in the world. This girl boi she is a head turner one look at her and you’ll be saying “damn girl”
Nelly is soo sweet, beautiful, heart melting, sarcastic at time, kind, loving, caring for others. She might not be popular but once her name comes up in a crowed everyone know how she is. She’s amazing. If you have a nelly in yiur life don’t let her go. She will hold you tight forever you just need to treat her right. She will care for you. She might go from I love you to i wanna leave this world but all she needs is to be reminded of how much of an amazing person she is. She may have a heart made of pure love but it will be damaged by others. All you need to do is fix it the best you can. She might find it hard to hand her heart to you for good but just wait Because she will give you that amazing caring heart of hers.

She’s a loyal friend and will do anything to protect her friends at any cost.

She’s beautiful and forever she shall stay that way. Love that girl just as much as she loves you. Heck love her more because she deserves the loving. She’s the closest thing to a perfect girl.
Jonathan: Hey Jaocb you seen that nelly girl
Jacob: yea she’s over there. Just sitting soo beautifully

Jonathan: thanks man. I knwo right. I’m soo fricken lucky to have her as my girl.

Jaocb: yea dude you are. And I hate ya for that haha only joking.
by SpeedingCube December 28, 2017
mugGet the Nelly mug.

not on your nellie

a shortened version of "Nelly Duff". Nelly Duff = puff (breath) in Cockney rhyming slang. 'Not on your Nelly' is used to mean 'Not on your life'. "Breath" is synecdochical for "life"

See:
http://www.english-for-students.com/Cockney-Rhyming-Slang-N.html

Steve
There is no way you are going to get money out of me. Not on your nellie.
by SteveB47 March 25, 2009
mugGet the not on your nellie mug.

Nella

Nellas the most gorgeous gorl that you could ever meet. she lights up the room and just makes your day 10 times better. You just can’t imagine meeting a more amazing then her. shes cute, funny, and smart. she’s an amazing gorlfriend that you can’t stop thinking about
Nella is the bomb
by hij:)) August 22, 2018
mugGet the Nella mug.

sam o'nella academy

by TylerdakillerT225 May 17, 2018
mugGet the sam o'nella academy mug.

Share this definition

Sign in to vote

We'll email you a link to sign in instantly.

Or

Check your email

We sent a link to

Open your email